Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Toudouze
Hi Melanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I guess you could say it runs in the family. Growing up, my parents often took us to antique auctions. Later, my brother became a manager and buyer for an oriental rug and antique business in Mississippi. My interest was furthered in watching and learning from him. When I moved from the Houston area to East Texas, I found it to be rich with little mom and pop thrift and antique stores. I also tapped into resources and auctions that my family and I had shopped for many years. I started with antique china and other dishes, collecting mainly for myself. Gradually I found my collection had exceeded both my need and space. The natural next step was to begin selling. I found Instagram to be a great marketplace @chimneyvillecollection. From there, my customer base grew and it began to dictate the types of items I sell. Because 99% of the items I sell are shipped, I am careful of size and weight. Other than that, anything goes. My customers love many classic vintage items, but they also enjoy the unusual and unexpected. They are not looking for new and mass produced. They enjoy a broad selection of curated vintage, antique and one of a kind items. Finding those things keeps me energized and motivated to continue sourcing. As my children have grown into young adults, I have also renewed my love of painting and have branched out with another Instagram shop to sell those pieces as well @chimneyvillegallery.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles has be storage. About 60% of the items I purchase sell within one week. The remaining 40% may sit for a while until the right buyer sees them. Finding a place to safely store these things can be challenging.
Learning to sell with social media algorithms has also a challenge. I come from an extensive corporate sales background, but not in this format. Finding the right mix of creativity and conformity has been both fun and interesting.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I sell vintage and antique goods and also my own original art. Both began as a hobby, then expanded into a business. My love of color and originality in home decor sets me apart for my customers. A beautifully decorated home means nothing if it isn’t livable and doesn’t bring you joy. I believe a home should be a reflection of your memories, your travel and your life. It shouldn’t be overly trendy and most definitely shouldn’t look like everyone else’s. But not everyone has had those experiences yet. Buying vintage and antique goods allows you to create a room that feels collected, not just decorated. It creates that sense of history. Art is another very personal aspect of a room, so it seemed like a natural addition to the items that I sell.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My cheerleaders have been too many to mention. But I have received the most help from my family. My brother often acts in a consulting capacity to help me identify items and understand their market value. My young adult children are also a great help with running errands, dropping off packages and giving affirmation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @chimneyvillecollection and @chimneyvillegallery
